Friday, 27 May 2011

Weleda are one of my all time favourite companies, they were founded in 1921 (long before 'organic and sustainable was fashionable !) and have consistently been a leading brand of naturalbeauty and healthcare. Their natural remedies are based on their anthrosophical principles. Best of all they really work !

Lets start with hayfever. I'm lucky enough not to be suffering this year but have passed this on to a friend with sore eyes and a streaming nose, so far its working a treat ! The Hayfever kit offers two solutions in one handy pack. The homeopathic remedy Mixed Pollen 30 which has a comprehensive mixture of plant pollens, the ones most likely to trigger hayfever symptoms. The soothing Rhinodoron Nasal Spray, which helps to clear the nasal passages as it contains organic aloe vera to moisturise and calm the irritation. The Hayfever kit is 100 per cent natural and suitable for vegetarians and vegans. These are all essentials for my summer natural medicine kit so thanks to Weleda for allowing me to review such great products. Watch this space - lots more to come on Weledas gorgeous skincare and beauty products also

Other great summer travel remedies from Weleda – perfect for the family medicine cupboard include ......

Calendula Lotion and ointment for cuts and grazes, always my first choice for the kids and I was lucky enough to visit Weleda's beautiful biodynamic garden and harvest some marigolds as used in their calendula lotions.

Wednesday, 25 May 2011

Green People have long been one of my favourite companies and I’m particularly impressed by their excellent sun protection range. You know my take on it - best of all is cover up or stay in the shade but for the times when you need to apply sun creams you absolutely need to opt for the most natural you can find and Green People suncare is made with 80 per cent organic ingredients and they are really effective.

I especially love the Oy ‘Face the Sun’ SPF 15 – most sun creams feel too heavy for the face but this is nice and light and they make very handy trial sizes, great for popping in your handbag or pocket in case the sun comes out !

For the kids I use the No Scent Children’s sun lotion and again there are trial sizes. The range is extensive, there’s lots of options and even an excellent Fake tan.

The difficulty with sun protection is the confusion between the UVA and UVB rays, which are harmful and which do we need ? I interviewed Green People’s sun-care expert Ian Taylor at the Natural products show, check the vid for his interview -

You can find Green People suncare in independent health stores and online at

Thursday, 19 May 2011

If you've read any of my books you'll know I'm a huge fan of Coconut oil. I'm thrilled to have found Tiana - a wonderful company who make not just organic virgin coconut oil but also gorgeous coconut flour (makes yummy breads and cakes) and a beautiful rose and coconut cream. Whats unique about Tiana coconut oil is that its cold pressed from fresh organic coconuts and comes in recyclable glass jars which is excellent for prolonging its life, keeping it free from plasticisers and contaminants.

They do say don't put anything on your skin that you can't eat and you can and should eat this, it doesn't degrade at high temperatures so its great for cooking, you can also use it in place of butter, use for baking or add to smoothies and being very high in lauric acid (the main component of breast milk) its a wonderful functional food, being great for althletes and excellent for weight loss. (some stats on its nutritional values below)

Its also though a wonderful moisturiser for all skin types and a brilliant hair conditioner. Lather it on leave overnight and wash off a couple of times in the morning. Its a great intensive hand cream and great for feet too.

By the way if you're thinking (guys maybe) I do NOT want to smell like a beach babe, you're remembering the synthetic whiff of coconuts from conventional sun lotions, virgin coconut oil smells only very faintly of ...well... coconuts, but by the time its absorbed into your skin it really has no fragrance.

I can't recommend it highly enough and Tanya who runs Tiana Coconut oil is such a passionate advocate !

Tuesday, 10 May 2011

Now I'm an advocate of fresh juices but this is very specific, the cherries are Montmorency cherries known for their beneficial properties and John's company have ensured these are the finest quality and ethically and fairly traded.
You can get bottles of cherryactive, capsules or the brand new 'shots' perfect for travelling or when you're on the go.